Combination lock with cam-operated tumblers and sequentially engageable tumbler stops



April 8, 1969 A. .1. POTZICK 3,436,941

COMBINATION LOCK WITH CAM-OPERATED TUMBLERS AND SEQUENTIALLY ENGAGEABLE TUMBLER STOPS Sheet 0Y6 iled May 29, 1967 36 BY lwvii%d %w W AT'TCDQNEYS A. J. POTZICK April 8, 1969 COMBINATION LOCK WITH GAM OPERATED TUMBLERS AND SEQUENTIALLY ENGAGEABLE TUMBLER STOPS Filed May 29, 1967 Sheet INVENTOR. BY Z AT TC) 2 NEYS April 8, 1969 A. J. POTZICK 3,436,941

COMBINATION LOCK WITH CAM-OPERATED TUMBLERS AND SEQUENTIALLY ENGAGEABLE TUMBLER STOPS Filed May 29, 1967 Sheet 3 of s ATTO l2 N EYS April 8, 1969 A. J. POTZICK COMBINATION LOCK WITH CAM-OPERATED TUMBLEHS AND SEQUENTIALLY ENGAGEABLE TUMBLER STOPS Filed May 29, 1967 Sheet A'TFO F2 N EYS April 8, 1969 A J. POTZICK 3,436,941

COMBINATION LOCK WITH CAM-OPERATED TUMBLERS AND SEQUENTIALLY ENGAGEABLE TUMBLER STOPS Sheet 5 of 6 Filed May 29, 1967 ATTOQNEYS April 8, 1969 A. J. POTZICK 3,436,941

COMBINATION LOCK WITH CAM-OPERATED TUMBLERS AND SEQUENTIALLY ENGAGEABLE TUMBLER STOPS Sheet 6 of 6 Filed May 29, 1967 ATTOQNEYS 3,436,941 COMBINATIQN LOCK WITH CAM-OPERATED TUMBLERS AND SEQUENTIALLY ENGAGE- ABLE TUMBLER STOPS Anthony J. Potzick, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignor to The Mosler Safe Company, Hamilton, Ohio, a corporation of New York Filed May 29, 1967, Ser. No. 645,849 Int. Cl. E0511 37/04 U.S. Cl. 70-311 34 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A combination lock operated by turning the dial shaft directly to the numbers of the combination, in either direction, which does not require a prescribed program of dial turns in alternate directions. Once dialed, each number is set by pushing the shaft axially.

The tumblers are positioned by a cam, and stops as sociated with the respective tumblers are positioned in sequence to remember the tumbler position when set. The tumblers move from an initially ordered position on the cam, to disordered positions determined by the stops when set, and must be aligned with staggered fingers connected to the bolt to permit the bolt to be withdrawn. The bolt is disconnectable from the fingers to permit their arrangement to be selectively changed to establish a new combination.

This invention relates to a combination lock which embodies new principles of operation.

Combination locks are responsive to a pro-established combination of numbers or letters which are set into the lock in sequence by operating a dial. For many years combination locks have been based on mechanisms which require that the dial be operated in a precise program or pattern of turning movements to set the combination into the lock. Commonly the program has required turning the dial a specified number of turns in a certain direction, say four turns to the right, before stopping at the first number or letter of the combination, then a series of turns one less in number in the opposite direction, e.g. three turns to the left, to the next number of the combination, followed by a decreasing sequence of turns in opposite directions to set the other numbers into the lock. As a practical matter, the operation of such locks is undesirably complex because of the need to remember not only the combination but also the dialing program and to execute it properly, including both the number and direction of turns required before stopping at each number of the combination. Because of this complexity, locks with combinations of more than four numbers or letters are rarely used, and such locks are relatively slow to use and require careful attention in operation.

In contrast, the combination lock of this invention obviates the precise programs of dial turning previously required. The new lock can be operated by turning the dial in either direction directly to the numbers or letters of the combination, and it does not require opposite rotations of the dial between successive numbers of the combination. Moreover, it does not require any predetermined number of turns, or indeed, any complete turns, of the dial between succeeding numbers of the combination. When the dial of the new lock has been turned to a given number, that number is set into the lock by axial movement of the dial shaft, for example by pushing the dial inwardly a short distance. Hence the new lock operates with much greater simplicity and rapidity than combination locks of the past, because it requires no dial truning program. It thus makes practicable the use of combinations consisting of a larger set of numbers than previously. For example, a combination of seven "ice numbers may be used, with consequent improvement in the resistance of the lock to surreptitious attack.

Prior combination locks have also tended to have a certain amount of play or lack of sensitivity which renders them responsive to imprecise dial settings; that is, they may be operated by dialing numbers merely adjacent to the proper numbers of the combination. Thus a previous lock set to operate at the combination 21-73- 49 would usually operate it the dial were set at 20-74-50, thus significantly reducing the number of true combinations from the number of theoretical combinations.

In contrast, the new lock of this invention is responsive only to exact dial positions. It will not open if set at numbers which are merely adjacent the proper numbers, and it will not operate when the dial is positioned between integers. Each of the theoretical combinations is a true combination.

Another difficulty with prior combination locks has been that they have required parts made of plastic of low radiographic density to reduce susceptibility to surreptitious analysis by X-ray. However, the use of plastic tumblers and other parts, while impeding radiographic analysis, does not provide the rigidity or stability afforded by metal parts.

In contrast, the lock of this invention afiords generally equal or superior resistance to radiographic analysis, yet its structure is such that it can be made entirely out of metal, with its superior qualities of rigidity and stability.

In the conventional rotating tumbler combination lock of the past, with lost motion coupling between tumblers, when a given tumbler has been set at a desired position by rotation of the lock dial, that tumbler thereafter remains stationary at that position while the succeeding tumblers are positioned.

In contrast, in the new combination lock when the dial has been turned to a given number and the dial shaft has been pushed in to set an internal operating element which can be generally referred to as a tumbler, the tumbler is thereafter usually free to move and does move over at least a portion of its usual field of motion while the succeeding numbers of the combination are set.

In a conventional tumbler operated combination lock, the tumbler gates are initially in positions of disalignrnent with one another when the lock has been cleared, and they must be aligned, by setting the combination, to receive a fence connected to the bolt before the bolt can be withdrawn. In the new lock the tumblers are in positions of alignment with one another before the combination is set, and they are thereafter moved into positions of disalignment, to receive another series of individually staggered or disaligned members which are connected to the bolt. In general terms, the operation of the new lock may be likened to positioning the tumblers so that the tumbler gates define a patterned or disaligned keyhole into which a key, comprised of a set of fingers also disaligned with one another, must be received in order for the bolt to be withdrawn.

Broadly speaking this lock includes a series of positionable tumblers with gates and moved by rotating an operating dial into positions corresponding to a combination dialed into the lock. A series of fingers which are disaligned with one another is receivable in the respective gates only when each gate is aligned with its respective finger. The lock includes a bolt and means for moving the bolt between extended and withdrawn positions, and the fingers are interconnected to the bolt so that disalignment of any of the tumbler gates with its respective fingers prevents withdrawal of the bolt. The tumblers may be in the form of levers which are pivoted at one end with the gates formed at the opposite end, and they are operated to shift the position of the gates by a cam which is connectable to be rotated by the dial. The tumblers move with the cam when they are engaged with it.

Each of a series of tumbler stops, or preferably lever stops, is individually actuable to prevent the respective lever from following the entire movement of the cam and to permit the lever to follow the cam movement only to a certain point. By determining the points at which the respective levers are disengaged from the cam, the lever stops determine the positions of the lever gates at that point, the levers being spring loaded toward the cam. The lever stops follow movement of the levers until they are sequentially locked in position by moving the lock dial shaft axially. Such locking is preferably accomplished with a lever stop holder which is advanced, by a ratchet and pawl mechanism actuated by inward shaft motion, to engage the lever stops one after another. The ratchet and pawl mechanism is releasable by pulling out on the shaft to disengage the lever stops and thereby permit all the levers to again ride on the cam during 360 rotation of the cam.

The lock dial shaft is normally held in an axially centered position by spring loaded plungers which in effect impede dial shaft movement in either direction from the centered position. Axial shaft movement is permitted only at precise whole number dial settings, by pins which block axial movement unless aligned with narrow apertures or cut-outs in a driver disc coupled to the dial.

The fingers which determine the combination may be adjustable to change the combination, and to that end they can be releasably clamped to the bolt for movement with the bolt, means also being provided for disconnecting the bolt from the lock operating means when the fingers are released from their fixed positions with respect to the bolt. The fingers are held in fixed position by clamping means which are releasable without disassembling the lock. The combination can be changed simply by engaging the fingers in the respective gates, then disconnecting the fingers from the bolt and disconnecting the bolt from the lock operating means, so that the fingers will move to new positions relative to one another as the tumblers are set at the new combination.

The dial is selectively connectable, through the lock shaft and the driver, to turn the cam or to operate the bolt. Means are provided which disengage the dial from the cam when it is connected to the bolt, so that the tumbler gates cannot be manipulated from the outside of the lock while in contact with the fingers.

The invention can best be further described by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan of a lock embodying a preferred form of the invention as mounted to a safe door shown in section, the lock bolt being in extended position;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical section through the lock taken along line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view showing the lock case and the bolt operating mechanism mounted to it;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view showing the subassembly which includes the lever tumblers, their associated stops, and the means by which the levers are positioned in running the combination;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view showing the subassembly which includes the bolt and the fingers which determine the combination at which the lock will open;

FIGURE 6 is a horizontal section through the lock taken on line 66 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 7 is a vertical section taken on line 7-7 of FIGURE 2, showing the arbor or operating shaft engaged through the collar for rotating the cam;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken on line 8-8 of FIGURE 2, showing the stepping ratchets for advancing the lever stop holder by which the lever stops are sequentially fixed in position, with the lever stop holder in its initial or starting position;

FIGURE 9 is a sectional view similar to FIGURE 8 but showing the holder in its final advanced position;

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on line 10-10 of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on line 1111 of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 12 is a fragmentary section along a radius of the driver, taken on line 1212 of FIGURE 10, showing the collar engaged with the cam;

FIGURE 13 is a sectional view similar to FIGURE 12 but showing the collar disengaged from the cam and the cam locked with respect to the lock case;

FIGURE 14 is a fragmentary horizontal section of the sub-assembly of the bolt and the combs which determine the combination, showing the combs in unclarnped position permitting them to be moved relative to one another to change the combination;

FIGURES 15, 16 and 17 are a series of vertical sections somewhat diagrammatic in nature, showing the tumbler and tumbler stop positions at three different stages of setting the combination. FIGURE 15 shows the attitude of the lock elements when the first tumbler has been set to align with a finger in the highest position, FIGURE 16 shows the lock when the second tumbler has been set in alignment with a finger in an intermediate position, and FIGURE 17 shows the lock when the last tumbler has been set to align with a finger in lowest position; and

FIGURE 18 is a section similar to FIGURE 17 but shows the lock with the fingers engaged in the gates of the respective tumblers and the bolt withdrawn.

Description The present lock is shown in FIGURE 1 as mounted to the door -1 of a safe 2. The lock is operated by a rotatable dial 3 on the outside of the door 1, and in the embodiment shown for purposes of illustration dial 3 is provided with combination digits 0 through 9 on its periphery. By turning the dial any digit can be aligned with an index mark 4 on the dial housing 5.

The lock itself is mounted on the interior of the safe door and is contained within a housing or frame which comprises a case or base 6 (best shown in FIGURE 3) to which a cover 7 is removably fastened. The cover 7 is held to the case 6, and the assembly of them is held to safe door 1, by mounting screws 8 which pass through corner posts 9 formed on case 6 and which are threaded into the safe door.

In the following description, the lock is described as if the case 6 were resting on a table, with the viewer looking downward at the lock. Thus, the lowest or innermost of the tumblers, etc. is that which is closest to case 6, while references to the outward direction means the direction from case 6 toward cover 7.

Lock dial 3 is mounted to an axial arbor or shaft 13 for rotating the shaft, and the shaft 13 extends through an opening in the safe door and case 6 into the interior of the lock housing. Shaft 13 is movable over a limited distance in the axial direction and for that purpose it may be rigidly connected to dial 3, so that axial movement imparted to the dial is transmitted to the shaft, or it may be splined to the dial for independent axial movement.

A driver 14 (best shown in FIGURES 4, 6 and 7) is threaded onto arbor 13 and is keyed to it as at 15. The key 15 can be inserted into place through an opening 20 in cover 7. Thus the lock can be mounted to the safe door 1 without being disassembled, and even without removing the cover.

Driver 14 includes a shaft portion 16 the inner end of which is journalled for rotation in a boss 17 formed on case 6 (FIGURES 6 and 7). The upper end of driver shaft portion -16 extends almost to cover 7. Driver 14 also includes a hub 18 from which a disc, flange or shoulder 19 extends.

A tumbler operating cam or cam means, generally at 23 (FIGURES 2, 6 and 7), is rotatably mounted on driver shaft 16 upwardly of driver hub 18, and presents a cam surface 24 which presents a series of tumbler lift stations, as will be explained. Cam surface 24 is flanked at each axial end by cylindrical shoulders and 26. The upper cam shoulder 25 is journalled by a top plate 29, and the other or lower cam shoulder 26 is journalled in an intermediate bracket 30. The intermediate bracket 30 is received over two of the corner posts 9, 9 of case 6, and is also fastened to the case by screws 31, 32 and 33. Top plate 29 is spaced from intermediate bracket 30 by posts 35, 36, 37 and 38.

A collar designated generally at 41 is journalled on driver shaft 16 between driver hub 18 and intermediate bracket 30. The upper edge of collar 41 is conically tapered or angulated, as at 42, to form a cam surface adjacent the intermediate plate. Collar 41 is coupled to driver 14 for rotation therewith at all times, but is axially shiftable relative to the driver over a limited distance, being connected to the driver through a number of collar legs 43 which extend into openings formed in driver hub 18 (see FIGURE 6) through which retaining pins 44 pass. One of the collar legs 43 projects through driver hub 18, and forms a bolt-operating projection or stub 45 which can be engaged to operate the bolt when the collar is displaced axially toward case 6, as will be described. A spring 46 urges the collar upwardly, toward intermediate plate 30, and a stud 47 projecting upwardly from the collar is engageable in a cooperating recess 48 in cam shoulder 26. From FIGURES 6 and 7 it can be seen that when the collar is in its upper position as there shown, pin 47 will transmit rotary motion of the collar to cam 23 so that driver 14, collar 41 and cam 23 rotate together. When collar 41 is moved toward driver hub 18 so that stud 47 is disengaged from cam 23 as shown in FIGURE 13, the cam does not rotate with the driver.

Driver flange 19 is provided with a series of holes 50, best shown in FIGURES 4 and 10, spaced to correspond to the integers on dial 3. Intermediate plate 30 is provided with a tapered post 51, with which the correspondingly tapered holes 50 in the driver can be aligned (see FIGURE 7). It will be seen that when none of the driver holes 50 is aligned with post 51, the driver cannot be moved appreciably toward intermediate plate 30. As will be seen, this prevents operation of the lock at non-integer (non-whole number) dial positions.

Opposed spring loaded plungers 53 and 54, best seen in FIGURE 6, urge driver 14 toward a neutral or centered position in which the driver disc or flange 19 just clears post 51. The upper plunger 53 is slidably mounted by a retainer 55 fastened to intermediate plate 30 and resists upward driver and dial movement from centered position, while the other plunger 54 is on the other side of driver flange 19 opposite plunger 53, and is mounted by a retainer 56 on case 6 and resists downward driver and arbor motion. Stops are provided on plungers 53 and 54 so that the plungers do not bear on the driver or retard dial rotation when the driver is in the centered position shown in FIGURES 6 and 7.

In addition to the apertures 50 in driver flange 19, the flange is also provided with a single hole 59 which is radially offset from the series of holes 50 so that it is not alignable with post 51 (see FIGURE 10). This hole 59 is alignable by rotation of the driver with a tapered post 60 projecting upwardly from case 6 (see FIGURE 7). Post 60 limits downward movement of the driver from its neutral or centered position except when opening 59 is aligned with it. Such alignment is preferably established at a position corresponding to dial position 0. The slight tapers on posts 51 and 60 will lead the driver into proper angular position for axial movement if it is just minimally out of position. Thus, by reason of the axial movement blocking caused by these posts, the dial can be pushed in (toward safe door 1) only at the 10 whole number positions and can be pulled out only at zero position.

Levers and lever stops A series of what may be likened to tumblers are mounted between top plate 29 and intermediate bracket 30.

The lock shown includes a set of 7 such tumblers, each designated by 61 and configured as shown in FIGURE 2, and these are pivoted as levers in the preferred embodiment. Each tumbler or lever is mounted for rotation on the post or pivot 37 which extends between top plate 29 and bracket 30, so that the levers extend transversely across cam surface 24. At the outer or free end each lever 61 has a gate 62. Each lever functions as a cam follower and for that purpose is provided with a rounded cam riding surface 63. Springs 64 urge the respective levers in the direction tending to bring the lever cam riding surfaces 63 into contact with cam surface 24, as shown in FIGURE 2. These lever-tumblers 61 are sometimes referred to hereinafter as cam followers by reason of such operation.

A set of stop elements or lever stops corresponding in number to the levers is provided on the other side of cam 23 from the levers, and these are each designated by 66. Lever stops 66 are all pivoted on post 38 and extend transversely below cam 23. At the outer or free end each lever stop has a surface 67 which can abut the edge of the corresponding lever 61. Each lever stop 66 has associated with it a lever stop spring 68 which urges the lever stop in a direction tending to bring lever stop edge 67 into contact with lever 61. The relative strength of the lever and lever stop springs 64 and 68 is such that springs 64 override the respective springs 68 and thereby hold the lever cam riding surfaces against carn surface 25, and the springs 68 hold the lever stops 66 in contact with the levers. The lever stops do not engage cam 23, but as will be seen comprise sequentially positionable stops which limit the proximity of the respective levers 61 to the axis of arbor 13. Each lever 61 and its corresponding lever stop 66 is separated from the next lever and lever stop pair by a spacer 69 which is received on posts 35, 37 and 38.

Sequential [ever stop holding means At its free end each lever stop 66 has a series of teeth 70 preferably corresponding to the number of dial integers. A lever stop holder or elevator 71 is advanceable in the upward direction between plates 30 and 29 to sequentially engage the lever stops 66 through teeth 70, and thereby arrest the stops and hold them from following the cammed movement of the levers 61. The holder 71 is slidable in a direction parallel to the axis of shaft 13 between the top plate 29 and a flange 72 connected to intermediate plate 30 by a web 72a, and is guided for sliding movement along post 36 and a second post 73. A spring 74 on a guide pin 75 extends into a recess formed in holder 71 and urges the holder toward flange 72. The holder is shown at its lowermost and uppermost positions in FIGURES 12 and 13 respectively, and is provided with a pointed edge 76 which will interlock within any specific notch or tooth 70 on each lever stop 66 to prevent further motion of the lever stop about pivot 38.

Stepping or sequentially advancing means are provided for incrementally moving holder 71 to engage holder edge 76 with the lever stops 66 one by one, by pushing in (toward the safe door) on the lock shaft 13. Movement of driver flange 19 resulting from inward shaft movement actuates and indexes a ratchet and pawl stepping mechanism designated generally at 78 and shown in FIGURES 7, 8, and 9. In ratchet mechanism 78, a holding pawl 79 is pivotally mounted to web 72a by a pivot pin 80. A series of teeth or ridges 81 extending in a direction perpendicular to web 72a are formed on holder 71, and holding pawl 79 is correspondingly notched at one end to engage the holder teeth. A spring 82 constantly urges holding pawl 79 in a direction tending to swing the teeth thereon toward flange 72, i.e. counterclockwise about pivot (as viewed in FIGURE 9).

An advancing pawl 84, having a shape generally similar to that of holding pawl 79, is mounted by a pivot or post '85 to a link 86 overlying holding pawl 79, and the link 86 is pivotally mounted by a pin 87 to web 72a. Like holding pawl 79, advancing pawl 84 has teeth which are engageable with the ridges 81 on holder 71, and a spring 88 urges advancing pawl 84 about a pivot or stud 85 in a direction swinging its teeth toward the inner end of the holder. A spring 89 tends to swing the link 86 about its pivot 87 in a direction moving advancing pawl 84 toward flange 72.

The stud 8 has an end portion positioned to be engaged by movement of the driver flange 19 when shaft 13 is pushed in. When the holder is at the initial or starting position shown in FIGURE '8, such movement imparted to stud 85 swings advancing pawl 84 and link 86 about pivot 87, and the holder is advanced by the spring-loaded interlock of pawl 84 with holder teeth 81. As this movement occurs, the holder cams holding pawl 79 about its pivot 80 (clockwise as seen in FIGURE 8) and under the urging of spring 82 the teeth of the holding pawl interengage with the next teeth of the holder. The advancing movement imparted by a single push-in of shaft 13 is limited to the dimension of one lever-lever stop pair, so that from the initial position in which holder edge 76 engaged none of the lever stops 66, the holder is moved into a position in which its edge 76 engages a tooth of the first or innermost lever stop 66. When the driver is returned to its neutral position the force on stud 85 is removed, link 86 pivots about pin 87 (counterclockwise as seen in FIGURE 8) under the influence of spring 89, thereby moving pawl pivot 85 to its initial position. The holder is held by the holding pawl 79, and the teeth of advancing pawl 84 are cammed out of the holder notch 81 in which they were engaged, to the next notch. Thus by axial movement of the shaft and driver, the holder 71 is advanced in increments and sequentially engages the respective lever stops 66. As will be explained, the positions of the respective lever stops when they are engaged by the holder may vary, depending upon rotational dial position; that is, the holder can engage different lever stops which are in different positions.

When the holder has been advanced to its uppermost position (FIGURE 9) and it is to be returned to the initial or starting position, the pawls 79 and 84 are both swung in a direction about their respective pivots 80 and 85 in a direction disengaging their teeth from the holder teeth 81. For this purpose, upstanding lugs 91 and 92 are formed on pawls 79 and 84 respectively, which overlap driver flange 19 on the other side from stud 85. As best comprehended from FIGURE 7, pulling the shaft outwardly (at zero dial position) causes the driver to bear on these lugs 91 and 92, thereby releasing the holder. The holder spring 74 thereupon returns the holder to initial position in which it is disengaged frim all of the lever stops.

Mechanism designated generally at 95 (see FIGURES 10, 12 and 13) is provided for disengaging collar 41 from cam 23. This is preferably done by pushing in on the shaft an eighth time, after holder 71 has been engaged with all seven lever stops 66. The mechanism 95 includes a slide 96 mounted in a channel-shaped housing 97 for movement in the radial direction toward cam edge 42 of the collar. Housing 97 is mounted to intermediate bracket 30 by a post and screw at 98, and a spring 99 urges slide 96 away from the collar. The radially inward and radially outward ends 101 and 102 respectively of slide 96 are angulated, and the inner end 101 of the slide coacts with the collar cam surface 42 when the slide is moved radially toward the axis of arbor 13, to shift the collar away from cam 23 and thereby disengage the collar drive stud 47 from the cam recess 48 so that there is no interconnection of the driver to the cam. Simultaneously, a portion of slide 96 is received in a notch or opening 104 in the cam and thereby locks the cam in fixed position.

As seen in FIGURES 12 and 13, the inner end of holder 71 is provided with a cam surface 103 which is brought into engagement .with the radially outward cam surface 102 on slide 96 after the holder edge 76 has been engaged with all of the lever stops. This cams the slide radially toward the collar surface 42, and thereby cams the collar out of engagement with cam 23 and also dogs the cam to intermediate bracket 30. When the holder is thereafter to be returned to its initial or starting position shown in FIGURE 12 (by pulling out on the shaft and thereby disengaging the pawls), the camming force on slide 96 is released, spring 99 thereupon moves the slide out of engagement with collar 41 and cam 23, and the collar spring 46 moves the collar into driving engagement with the cam.

It can -be seen that in the preferred embodiment illustrated herein, the constant shape of cam 23 along the axial direction establishes a regular or ordered alignment of the lever gates 62 with one another, when all of the levers 61 are resting on cam surface 24. Once the lever stop 66 of any given lever has been locked in position by engagement of holder edge 76 with a tooth of that lever stop, then the lever stop will prevent the lever from moving toward arbor 13 past the fixed point at which the lever bears on its lever stop. In other words, the lever stops then limit movement of their corresponding levers toward the axis of the cam, but do not limit lever movement away from the axis of the cam. If the lever stop is held at the orientation shown in FIGURE 2, then the corresponding lever will engage the cam even at the low point on the cam surface. As shown in FIG- URES 15 and 16, the lever stop may be held by the holder in a position which will permit the lever to track only on part of the circumference of the cam. The lever stops thereby determine the positions of the lever gates 62 when the cam is turned to its low point, for in that condition all of the levers will rest on the corresponding lever stops. Setting the combination into the lock thus changes the initially ordered relationship of the lever gates, when the levers are riding on the cam, into a disordered or staggered relationship when the levers are positioned by their respective stops.

The cam does not necessarily position the levers and lever stops at spacings from the cam axis which increase with the number at which the dial is set. In the embodiment shown, the cam transforms the dial number settings into a different order of lever settings.

Bolt mechanism and fingers The lock bolt 107 has mechanism designated generally by 108 mounted to it and ordinarily moving with it as a unit, which prevents the bolt from being withdrawn unless the lever gates are set in positions of preestablished disarray permitting the bolt mechanism 108 to interfit with the lever gates 62. As shown in FIGURES 2 and 6, the mechanism 108 includes a set of combs 109 corresponding to the number of levers and positioned to move in the same planes as the respective levers. Each comb includes a base portion 110 which is slotted for movement relative to bolt 107 in the direction generally parallel to that in which the lever gates 62 move. The slots 113 and 114 in comb base portion 110 are received on legs 115 and 116 integral with the bolt. Each comb also includes a finger portion 111 which is dimensioned to be received in the gate of the corresponding lever when the latter is aligned with it. The combs 109 are separated from one another by spacers 118 (see FIGURE 6), and are releasably clamped in fixed position to bolt 107 by a comb retaining block 120. The comb retaining block 120 has a flange or shoulder 123 which overhangs the comb base portions 110 and retains them on the bolt legs 115 and 116, as shown in FIGURES 2 and 14. Along its base portion 110 each comb 109 is notched or toothed as at 124, and these notches interfit with a series of ridges formed on the com-b retaining block 120 (see FIGURES 6 and 14). As with the other sets of interfitting apertures, posts, and notches 50 and 51 and 70 and 76, these notches 124 and 125 are dimensioned to provide increments of position corresponding to the changes in lever gate posi tion at the respective dial numeral settings. Thus, by engaging the teeth 124 on the respective combs at any given setting thereof the comb retaining block 120 holds the combs in positions such that they will interfit with the lever gates 62 at whole number settings of the dial.

Comb block 120 is selectively disengageable from the combs by a camming mechanism at 127. This permits the combs to be slid to different positions on the bolt legs 115 and 116. The camming mechanism 127 enables the comb retaining block 120 to be cammed along ways or guides 129 interfitting with the bolt 107. Block 120 is slidably retained on Ways 129 by shoulder screws 121 and 122, and is shiftable on the ways toward and away from the comb notches or teeth 124, in the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of bolt 107. Comb block 120 is provided with slanted camming surfaces 131 and 132 which cooperate with conically tapered surfaces on a machine screw 133 which is threaded into bolt 107. As seen in FIGURE 6, an opening or aperture 134 in look cover 7 is provided through which the head of screw 133 is accessible from the inner side of the safe door when the bolt is in withdrawn position. When screw 133 is threaded outwardly from block 120, it moves toward cover 7 and through hole 134 in the cover to dog bolt 107 in withdrawn position (see FIGURE 14).

As screw 133 is threaded out of bolt 107, it coacts with the cam surfaces 131 of comb block 120 to cam the comb block out of engagement with the comb notches 124, as shown in FIGURE 14; and when screw 133 is threaded into bolt 107, it coacts with cam surfaces 132 to shift the comb block into locking engagement with the comb notches 124. As explained subsequently, it is by this mechanism that the combination can readily be changed without disassembling the lock.

Bolt operating mechanism Rotary movement of arbor 13 is translated into linear movement for withdrawing and extending bolt 107 by mechanism designated generally at 137 in FIGURES 3 and 11. This mechanism 137 is mounted on the lock base 6, and includes a bolt bit 138 which is journalled for rotation on case boss 17 and held thereon by a spring clip. A bolt base or bolt slide plate 139 is reciprocated toward and away from arbor 13 by rotary movement of bolt bit 138, within limits established by the configuration of case 6. A bolt spring 140 bears on bolt bit 138 and tends to throw it in a direction extending the bolt slide plate 139, that is, tending to turn bolt bit 138 in the clockwise direc tion about pivot 17, as seen in FIGURE 3. In FIGURE 3 the mechanism 137 is shown in the position it occupies when the bolt is withdrawn, and in FIGURE 2 the mechanism is shown by dotted lines in the position it occupies when the bolt is in extended position. The bolt plate 139 is retained to slide over the inner surface of case 6 by a strap 142.

Bolt 107 is guided for sliding movement by tracks or slots 144 in case 6 (see FIGURE 3) and is disconnectably connected to the bolt slide or bolt dog 139 by the comb camming screw .133 when comb block 120 is holding the combs against movement (see FIGURE 6). The lower end or tip of screw '133 fits into a tapered opening provided for that purpose in bolt slide 139, and under these circumstances the bolt, combs and bolt slide move as a unit. \Vhen comb cam screw 133- is threaded out of bolt 107 to release the combs, it simultaneously disengages the bolt from the bolt slide 139 as shown in FIGURE 14.

Bolt bit 138 does not move with arbor 13 or driver 14 when the combination is being dialed into the lock. However, a drive connection to bolt bit 138 is established by engagement of the projection 45 on collar 41 in a cooperating recess 146 in the bolt bit when the collar is disengaged from cam 23 (see FIGURES 12 and 13). This preferably occurs as the result of a separate shaft push-in following the setting of the last combination number into the lock, and renders the bolt immovable when the tumblers are being positioned. The collar 41 rotates at all 10 times with driver 14, and when the collar stud 45 is engaged with the bolt bit 138, dial rotation in one direction will tend to withdraw the bolt and in the other direction will tend to extend the bolt.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that the mechanism 137 corresponds in some respects to the angle bar or lever used in ordinary combination locks, but that it differs, among other respects, in that it can be selectively disengaged from the bolt itself, for changing the combination.

The internal mechanism of the lock may be considered as comprising three general sub-assemblies. The first of these, shown in FIGURE 3, is the case sub-assembly which includes mechanism for extending and withdrawing the bolt. The second sub-assembly is shown in FIG- URE 4, and comprises the driver, the sets of levers and lever stops, and the holder and associated elements. The third sub-assembly, shown in FIGURE 5, includes the bolt and the finger mechanism mounted to it.

Look operation In the lock illustrated and described for purposes of explanation, the lock operating combination consists of a sequence of seven integers from 0 through 9, which must be dialed and set into the lock before the bolt can be withdrawn. This provides a selection of 10 or 10,000,000 possible combinations. The combination is determined by the positions of the respective fingers 111; the finger positions shown in the drawings correspond to the combination 5-7-7-7-7-7-0.

In running the combination, assuming the bolt is in the extended position shown in FIGURE 2, the lock is first cleared, that is, the holder 71 is disengaged from all of the lever stops 66 with which it may have previously been engaged. This is accomplished by pulling the shaft outwardly toward the operator. By reason of the limit on driver movement in the axial direction imposed by post 60 the dial can be pulled outwardly to clear the look only at the specific position of the dial at which driver opening '59 is aligned with case post 60. In the embodiment shown, this alignment is established when the dial is set at 0. This axially outward movement of driver 14 brings the driver flange 19 into contact with the pawl legs 91 and 92 and swings the pawls about their respective pivots and 85, thereby disengaging them from holder 71. The holder is then moved to its innermost or initial position by the holder spring 74. In the initial position of the holder its edge 76 is disengaged with all of the lever stops 66. Under these conditions all of the levers 61 ride on cam surface 24 under the influence of their respective lever springs 64, and all of the lever stops 66 bear against their corresponding levers under the influence of the lever stop springs 68.

As the dial is rotated, motion is transmitted through arbor 13 to driver 14. Since collar 41 is connected to driver 14 at all times by a sliding interconnection, the collar always rotates with the driver regardless of its axial position with respect to the driver. When the lock has been cleared, the collar cam slide 96 is moved radially outwardly by its spring 99, and does not exert a camming force on collar 41. Collar spring 46 therefore holds the collar in engagement with cam 23, collar drive pin 47 being engaged in the cam socket 48 as shown in FIGURE 12.

Rotation of cam 23 lifts the levers 61 so that all of the lever gates 22 initially move in unison. The first number of the combination is fed into the lock by turning the dial in either direction to align that number with index mark 4. The dial may be rotated directly to that number, or it may be rotated any number of turns, although doing so is not necessary. This capability obviates the necessity of having a set program of dial turns. When the first dial number is aligned with the index mark, the number is set into the lock by pushing axially inwardly on the dial shaft. At that position one of driver index openings 50 will be aligned with post 51, so that the post will not impede such axial movement of the driver.

Such inward movement imparted to the driver moves it toward lock cover 6 (to the left as seen in FIGURE 7),

axial movement of the driver with respect to collar 41 being permitted by the sliding interconnection between them. This driver movement brings driver flange 19 into engagement with ratchet post 85 and advances holder 71 one unit toward the top plate 29, so that the holder edge 76 engages and fixes the position of the first (innermost) lever stop 66. At that moment all the levers are riding on cam 24, and it is assumed on the high point of the cam, so that the lock appears as shown in FIGURE 15 To set the next number (or the next several numbers of the combination illustrated, since they are shown as the same number), the dial is turned directly to that number to align the next tumbler gate with the respective finger 111. In the combination assumed, this occurs at an intermediate position on cam 24 between its high and low points, as shown in FIGURE 16. The lever stop of the first tumbler prevents that tumbler from following the cam, and the position of the first tumbler (already set) is indicated by the dotted lines in FIGURE 16. All of the other tumblers follow the cam movement.

The other numbers of the combination are set in the same fashion. The dial can be turned directly in either direction from one number to the next number of the combination, or if that number is the same as the preceding number as in the case illustrated, the driver can again be pushed in axially to index the holder without further rotational movement of the dial. The lever stops which have previously been set do not restrain movement of the remaining levers or their stops, and the only restraint imposed by the lever stops which have been set is that they limit radial inward movement of their corresponding levers to the point at which a lever engages its respective lever stop.

When all of the combination numbers have been set into the lock, the dial is turned to zero position, at which the low point on the cam is presented for engagement by the levers, so that all of the levers rest on their corresponding lever stops. In other words, by rotating cam 23 to its lowest position, the cam is in effect moved out from under the levers, which are thereby positioned by their lever stops. The lock dial shaft is then indexed once again, to advance holder 71 to a position at which its slide camming surface 103 comes into contact with cam surface 102 of slide 96, as shown in FIGURE 13. This moves slide 96 radially inwardly into engagement with cam collar surface 42 thereby camming the collar out of driving engagement with cam 23 and into engagement with bolt bit 138. Simultaneously the cam is locked from turning during bolt throwing action.

The dial is then turned to rotate the driver in the counterclockwise direction, as seen in FIGURE 11, and this rotational movement of the bolt bit is translated by the bolt slide 139 into lineal movement of the bolt tending to withdraw it. Since the lever gates 62 are all aligned with the respective fingers 11, as bolt 107 is withdrawn each finger slides in the cooperating gate, permitting withdrawal of the bolt.

The length of the fingers 111 is such that the fingers prevent significant withdrawal movement of the bolt if any gate is not aligned with its respective finger. To minimize any possibility of the fingers camming the gates into aligned position, it is preferred that the corners of the gates and the corners of the fingers be formed as acute angles, as shown in FIGURE 2, so that any camming that occurs will be in the direction of disaligning the gates rather than aligning them.

When the bolt is to be extended, the driver is rotated in the opposite direction so that bolt bit 138 throws bolt slide 139 outwardly. The lock is cleared by setting the dial at position and pulling shaft 13 outwardly to release holder 71 from the lever stops, so that the stops are all freed and the levers are moved to a position of alignment with one another on the cam.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the tumblers are moved from similar initial positions on the cam, to positions of gate disarray when the combination is set,

corresponding to the disarray of the respective fingers.

In a sense, therefore, the lock is opened by building a key on the inside of the lock; the lifts of the key correspond to the various levels at which the stops are set by the edge of the lever stop holder 71.

Changing the combination One of the advantages of the new lock is the ease with which the combination can be changed. Changing the combination does not require disassembly of the lock, nor even removal of the cover plate. Since the combination is determined by the positions of the fingers, it is changed by reposition-ing the fingers. This is done by running the existing combination and engaging the fingers in the respective gates, then releasing the fingers from the bolt and the bolt from the bolt slide, so that the fingers can be moved by moving the levers in which they are engaged, then reclamping the fingers in the new positions.

More specifically, the combination of the lock is changed by first withdrawing the bolt in the conventional manner, to engage the fingers in the lever gates. Camming screw 133, which is accessible when the safe is open through the aperture 134 in lock cove 7, is threaded outwardly, so that it moves the comb block out of holding engagement with the respective combs. Engagement of the head of screw 133 in aperture 134 interconnects the bolt to the cover to insure that the comb fingers remain in engagement with the lever gates. At the same time, such outward movement of screw 133 disengages the bolt from bolt slide 139. This permits the driver 14 to be re-engaged with cam 23 to 0perate the lock with the fingers engaged in their respective gates, without moving the bolt. The lock is cleared and the new combination is run. As this occurs, the fingers follow the movement of the lever gates in which they are engaged, moving relative to the comb block 120. When the new combination has been run, and bolt slide withdrawn, camming screw 133 is again tightened so that the combs are locked in their now positions on the bolt, and so that the bolt is again engaged in driven relationship with bolt slide 139. The bolt can then be extended, and the lock is again ready for use.

The foregoing embodiment is a preferred form of the new lock but it will be apparent that other variations and modifications can readily be accomplished by those skilled in the art from the description herein. It is specifically contemplated, for example, that the positions of the fingers 111 and tumbler gates 62 could be reversed, that is, the fingers could be formed integrally on the tumblers so as to project therefrom, and the combs 108 could be formed to present gates therein. It is also contemplated that lineally shifta'ble cam-operated tumblers can be used in place of the rotating lever tumblers shown. The invent-ion includes these and other modifications and variations.

What is claimed is:

1. A combination lock comprising a series of positionable members, each member of said series presenting a gate,

a rotatable dial connected in direct drive relation to cam means for positioning said members to arrange the respective gates of said series in different positions according to a combination dialed into said lock,

stop means separate from said cam means and engage able with the respective positionable members to limit the members from following the entire movement of the cam means,

a bolt and bolt moving means for moving said bolt between withdrawn and extended positions, and

a series of disaligned fingers for coacting with the respective gates, said fingers being connected to said bolt and receivable in the respective gates when said bolt is moved toward withdrawn position if each gate is aligned with its respective finger, disalignment of any gate with its respective finger preventing withdrawal of said bolt thereby requiring said gates to be set in positions corresponding to the positions of said disaligned fingers for said fingers to be receivable therein.

2. A combination lock comprising a series of positionable members, each member of said series presenting a gate,

means including a rotatable dial for positioning said members to arrange the respective gates of said series in different positions according to a combina tion dialed into said lock,

a bolt and means for moving said bolt between withdrawn and extended positions,

a series of disaligned fingers for coacting with the respective gates, said fingers being connected to said bolt and receivable in the respective gates when said 'bolt is moved toward withdrawn position if each gate is aligned with its respective finger, disalignment of any gate with its repective finger preventing withdrawal of said bolt thereby requiring gates of said series to be set in positions corresponding to the positions of said disaligned fingers for said fingers to be receivable therein,

said look further including rotatable cam means for positioning said positionable members,

means connecting said dial to said rotatable cam means, and

means for disconnecting said dial from said cam means and simultaneously connecting said dial to said means for moving said bolt and holding said cam means against rotation.

3. The combination lock of claim 1 wherein said cam means includes a cam rotatable by said dial,

spring means urging said members toward engage ment with said cam, and

wherein said stop means are spring loaded toward the respective members.

4. The combination lock of claim 1 which also includes holding means for sequentially engaging the respective stop means in fixed positions to limit movement of the respective positionable members past said fixed positions.

'5. A combination lock comprising a series of positionable members, each member of said series presenting a gate,

means including a rotatable dial and rotatable cam means for positioning said members to arrange the respective gates of said series in different positions according to a combination dialed into said lock,

a bolt and means for moving said bolt between withdrawn and extended positions,

a series of disaligned fingers for coacting with the respective gates, said fingers being connected to said bolt and receivable in the respective gates when said bolt is moved toward withdrawn position if each gate is aligned with its respective finger, disalignment of any gate with its respective finger prevent ing withdrawal of said bolt thereby requiring said gates to be set in positions corresponding to the positions of said disaligned fingers for said fingers to be receivable therein,

a series of stops actuable to limit the engagement of the respective positionable members with said cam means to portions less than a complete rotation of said cam means,

holding means for sequentially engaging the respective stops in fixed positions to limit movement of the respective positionable members past said fixed positions, and

ratchet and pawl means for advancing said holding means in increments to engage the respective stops in sequence.

6. The combination lock of claim 5 which also includes means for actuating said ratchet and pawl means in response to axial movement imparted to a shaft.

7. The combination lock of claim 6 which also includes means preventing axial movement of said shaft except at pre-established angular positions of said dial.

8. The combination lock of claim 6 which includes means releasing said holding means in response to axial movement imparted to said shaft in the direction opposite that axial movement which actuates said ratchet and pawl means.

9. The combination lock of claim 1 wherein said fingers are adjustably mounted on said bolt.

10. A combination lock comprising a series of positionable members, each member of said series presenting a gate,

means including a rotatable dial for positioning said members to arrange the respective gates of said series in different positions according to a combination dialed into said lock,

a bolt and means for moving said bolt between withdrawn and extended positions, and

a series of disaligned fingers for ooact'ing with the respective gates, said fingers being connected to said bolt and receivable in the respective gates when said bolt is moved toward withdrawn position if each gate is aligned with its respective finger, disalignment of any gate with its respective finger preventing withdrawal of said bolt thereby requiring the gates of said series to be set in positions corresponding to the positions of said disaligned fingers for said fingers to be receivable therein,

said fingers being separately positionable with respect to one another to change the combination.

11. The combination lock of claim 10 which also includes releasable means for holding said fingers against movement until released.

'12. The combination lock of claim 1'1 which also includes means disconnecting said bolt from said bolt moving means when said releasable means is released.

13. The combination lock of claim 10 wherein said fingers are mounted to said bolt for sliding movement relative to one another thereon.

14. The combination lock of claim 10 which also includes means for holding said fingers only at positions corresponding to the positions of said gates established by whole number settings of said dial.

15. The combination lock of claim 14 wherein said fingers are slidable on legs projecting from said bolt.

16. The combination lock of claim 15 wherein said fingers have teeth according to whole number positions of said dial and wherein said lock also includes cam means engageable with said teeth of said fingers to cam said fingers into positions corresponding to whole number positions of said dial when said fingers are being held.

17. The combination lock of claim 1 wherein said gates and fingers have acutely angulated ends to cam said gates away from said fingers if not properly aligned therewith when said bolt is moved toward withdrawn position.

18. In a combination lock having a series of positionable tumblers each of which must be aligned in predetermined position to permit the lock to be opened, means for positioning said tumblers comprising,

a cam rotatable by an operating sha-ft,

means mounting said tumblers to be cammed over a range of positions by rotation of said cam,

spring means urging said tumblers toward engagement with said cam,

a series of movable stops, said stops being movable relative to the cam and engageable with the respective tumblers separately from said cam, thereby to limit the engagement of said tumblers with said cam,

spring means urging each stop toward engagement with its respective tumbler, and

holding means selectively actuable to hold each stop against further movement thereof,

each stop being so oriented that when held against movement it prevents its respective tumbler from following the entire rotation of said cam and thereby determines the position of said tumbler at the lowest lift of said cam.

19. In a combination lock having a series of positionable tumblers each of which must be aligned in predetermined position to permit the lock to be opened, means for positioning said tumblers comprising,

a cam rotatable by an operating shaft,

means mounting said tumblers to be cammed over a range of positions by rotation of said cam,

spring means urging said tumblers toward engagement with said cam,

a series of movable stops engageable with the respective tumblers,

spring means urging each stop toward engagement with its respective tumbler,

holding means selectively actuable to hold each stop against further movement thereof,

each stop being so oriented that when held against movement it prevents its respective tumbler from following the entire rotation of said cam and thereby determines the position of said tumbler at the lowest lift of said cam, and

means responsive to axial movement of said shaft to actuate said holding means.

20. The tumbler positioning means of claim 19 which also includes means for incrementally advancing said holding means to hold said stops in sequence.

21. The tumbler positioning means of claim 20 wherein the means for incrementally advancing said holding means comprises a ratchet and pawl stepping mechanism actuated by axial movement imparted to said shaft.

22. The tumbler positioning means of claim 21 which also includes means preventing said shafts from being so moved axially except at whole number positions of a lock dial.

23. The tumbler positioning means of claim 21 which also includes means tending to restore said shaft to a neutral axial position.

24. The tumbler positioning means of claim 18 wherein said stops are positioned to limit the proximity of approach of the respective tumblers to the axis of rotation of said cam when said stops are held against move- 0 ment.

25. The tumbler positioning means of claim 24 wherein said tumblers comprise levers pivoted for movement on one side of the axis of rotation of said cam.

26. In a combination lock having a. series of positionable tumblers each of which must be aligned in predetermined position to permit the lock to be opened, means for positioning said tumblers comprising,

a cam rotatable by an operating shaft,

means mounting said tumblers to be cammed over a range of positions by rotation of said cam, spring means urging said tumblers toward engagement with said cam,

a series of movable stops engageable with the respective tumblers,

spring means urging each stop toward engagement with its respective tumbler, and

holding means selectively actuable to hold each stop against further movement thereof,

each stop being so oriented that when held against movement it prevents its espective tumbler from following the entire rotation of said cam and thereby determines the position of said tumbler at the lowest lift of said cam,

wherein one of said holding means and said stops 16 has a series of teeth spaced according to the respective whole number positions of said tumblers, and wherein the other of said holding means and stops has an an edge for engaging said teeth.

=27. The tumbler positioning means of claim 18 which also includes means for selectively connecting and disconnecting said shaft to said cam.

28. The tumbler positioning means of claim 27 which includes means for disconnecting said shaft from said cam and simultaneously connecting said lock to throw a bolt when said stops are all held against movement.

29. The tumbler positioning means of claim 28 which also includes means for holding said cam against movement when said shaft is disconnected from said cam.

30. A combination lock comprising,

a rotatable cam,

drive means for rotating said cam about an axis,

a set of tumblers cammed by rotation of said cam,

each tumbler having a gate formed therein,

springs associated with the respective tumblers urging each tumbler toward engagement with said cam,

movable stops associated with the respective tumblers and engageable therewith to limit the point of closest approach of the respective tumblers to said axis,

springs urging said stops toward the respective tumblers,

holding means engageable with said stops to prevent movement thereof,

stepping means actuable to advance said holding means into engagement with the respective stops in sequence,

a bolt,

a set of elements moving with said bolt, said elements being receivable within the gates of the respective tumblers, said tumblers preventing withdrawal of said bolt unless said gates are aligned to receive the respective elements, and

means for moving said bolt.

31. The combination lock of claim 30 which also includes means for changing the positions of said elements to change the combination.

32. A combination lock comprising,

rotatable cam means,

a set of cam followers cammed by rotation of said cam means,

a set of stop elements movable with respect both to said cam means and to said cam followers,

means biasing said stop elements toward engagement with the respective cam followers for movement therewith,

hold-ing means engageable with the respective stop elements to arrest said elements and thereby prevent said elements from moving with the respective cam followers as said cam means is rotated,

means on the respective stop elements which, when said stop elements are arrested by said holding means, limit following by the respective cam followers of said cam means and thereby determine the positions of the respective cam followers when the latter are not following said cam means,

a set of members interfittable with the respective cam followers if the respective cam followers are in predetermined positions of alignment with respect thereto,

a bolt and means for withdrawing said bolt, and

means connect-ing said set of members to said bolt for movement therewith,

said members having surface means thereon engaging the respective cam followers to block withdrawing of said bolt unless said cam followers are in said predetermined positions of alignment with respect thereto.

33. The lock of claim 32 which also includes releasable means releasably mounting said members to said 17 18 bolt to permit changing the positions of said members 3,196,643 7/ 1965 Moss 701'33 with respect to one another.

3'4. The lock of claim 33 which also includes means FOREIGN PATENTS disconnecting said bolt from the means for Withdrawing 16,8 22 12/1906 Great Britain.

and bolt when said releasable means are released. 5

RICHARD E. MOORE, Primary Examiner.

References Clted R. L. WODFE, Assistant Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 95,058 9/1869 White 70-402 US. C1.X.R. 345,340 7/1886 Volke 7019 10 70-317,327 

